so these springs apparently break about every 5 to 7 years and one of my 2 springs
went sproing over the weekend.

from scouring sears, home depot and lowes, they sell everything I need, except the
torsion springs (they sell the vertical type, not the horizontal type that runs on the
bar across the garage)

from reading a few online sites, it appears many people have written excellent
descriptions and have successfully replaced their own springs without dying or getting
maimed or blinded - a few even have excellent step-by-step videos, though some of
these clearly sell parts online.

what say you ? at issue is why should I pay someone close to 300 for a job where the
parts cost 30 to 65 ?

easing the tension on the spring is no laughing matter but it's no more dangerous than
lifting your car on a jack and replacing a tire.

"Jake" wrote in message ...
so these springs apparently break about every 5 to 7 years and one of my 2
springs went sproing over the weekend.

from scouring sears, home depot and lowes, they sell everything I need,
except the torsion springs (they sell the vertical type, not the
horizontal type that runs on the bar across the garage)

from reading a few online sites, it appears many people have written
excellent descriptions and have successfully replaced their own springs
without dying or getting maimed or blinded - a few even have excellent
step-by-step videos, though some of these clearly sell parts online.

what say you ? at issue is why should I pay someone close to 300 for a job
where the parts cost 30 to 65 ?

easing the tension on the spring is no laughing matter but it's no more
dangerous than lifting your car on a jack and replacing a tire.


You can do it yourself, Jake. You already understand that it's not a cake
walk but at the same time, there are plenty of things that are just as
dangerous if not more so. Afterall, the spring isn't going to jump off the
axle and cut a carotid artery.

C & E wrote:

"Jake" wrote in message ...
so these springs apparently break about every 5 to 7 years and one of my 2
springs went sproing over the weekend.

from scouring sears, home depot and lowes, they sell everything I need,
except the torsion springs (they sell the vertical type, not the
horizontal type that runs on the bar across the garage)

from reading a few online sites, it appears many people have written
excellent descriptions and have successfully replaced their own springs
without dying or getting maimed or blinded - a few even have excellent
step-by-step videos, though some of these clearly sell parts online.

what say you ? at issue is why should I pay someone close to 300 for a job
where the parts cost 30 to 65 ?

easing the tension on the spring is no laughing matter but it's no more
dangerous than lifting your car on a jack and replacing a tire.

You can do it yourself, Jake. You already understand that it's not a cake
walk but at the same time, there are plenty of things that are just as
dangerous if not more so. Afterall, the spring isn't going to jump off the
axle and cut a carotid artery.

Having replaced one, I can tell you that they certainly are no fun to do
solo. With a helper teaming it would be a lot more manageable. As for
getting the springs, you have to go to a "real" door place like Overhead
Door to buy them.

At least one manufacturer has a new design that uses a worm gear
arrangement to replace the old bar-in-hole tensioning setup, which makes
it a heck of a lot easier and safer.

On Dec 6, 4:02*pm, "Jake" wrote:
so these springs apparently break about every 5 to 7 years and one of my 2 springs
went sproing over the weekend.

from scouring sears, home depot and lowes, they sell everything I need, except the
torsion springs (they sell the vertical type, not the horizontal type that runs on the
bar across the garage)

from reading a few online sites, it appears many people have written excellent
descriptions and have successfully replaced their own springs without dying or getting
maimed or blinded - a few even have excellent step-by-step videos, though some of
these clearly sell parts online.

what say you ? at issue is why should I pay someone close to 300 for a job where the
parts cost 30 to 65 ?

easing the tension on the spring is no laughing matter but it's no more dangerous than
lifting your car on a jack and replacing a tire.

I own a self storage facility with lots and lots of roll up doors with
torsion springs. Although they see limited use, springs do break,
usually from a bit of rust causing a weak spot. The springs are $20
apiece (takes 2) and one technician drives 30 miles to our facility to
replace them, standard commercial service call for $80. The brand is
Trac-Rite, pretty common in the midwest. The door maker does sell
springs, but it doesn't seem worth the hassle to me. To minimize
breakage, spray on a coating of old fashioned cosmoline or similar
protectant. We always replace both springs if one breaks, seems like a
good way to save extra labor when the other gives up. YMMV

Joe

Jake wrote:
so these springs apparently break about every 5 to 7 years and one of my
2 springs went sproing over the weekend.

from scouring sears, home depot and lowes, they sell everything I need,
except the torsion springs (they sell the vertical type, not the
horizontal type that runs on the bar across the garage)

from reading a few online sites, it appears many people have written
excellent descriptions and have successfully replaced their own springs
without dying or getting maimed or blinded - a few even have excellent
step-by-step videos, though some of these clearly sell parts online.

what say you ? at issue is why should I pay someone close to 300 for a
job where the parts cost 30 to 65 ?

easing the tension on the spring is no laughing matter but it's no more
dangerous than lifting your car on a jack and replacing a tire.


Hi,
If you keep keep the springs soaked in oil(I use 30 streight weight oil)
They seem to last longer. Oncew a year I just rub oil on springs with a
piece of rag. In almost 40 year I had one broken spring. When it
happened I replaced both. The guy who replaced them told me about using oil.

Jake wrote:

so these springs apparently break about every 5 to 7 years and one of my 2
springs went sproing over the weekend.

from scouring sears, home depot and lowes, they sell everything I need,
except the torsion springs (they sell the vertical type, not the
horizontal type that runs on the bar across the garage)

from reading a few online sites, it appears many people have written
excellent descriptions and have successfully replaced their own springs
without dying or getting maimed or blinded - a few even have excellent
step-by-step videos, though some of these clearly sell parts online.

what say you ? at issue is why should I pay someone close to 300 for a job
where the parts cost 30 to 65 ?

easing the tension on the spring is no laughing matter but it's no more
dangerous than lifting your car on a jack and replacing a tire.

It's vital that you have a proper set of bars that fit the holes in the
spring flanges and are long enough to provide the leverage you'll need.
You will need to wind them about 7 revolutions.

The place that sells you replacement springs will need to see the old
one(s) since there are several different gauges of wire, the length
of the coil, and right or left-hand wind matters.

I've been through it several times on my door and for neighbors and
I am always relieved to get it over with. Scary job but do-able.

Jake wrote:
so these springs apparently break about every 5 to 7 years and one of my
2 springs went sproing over the weekend.

from scouring sears, home depot and lowes, they sell everything I need,
except the torsion springs (they sell the vertical type, not the
horizontal type that runs on the bar across the garage)

from reading a few online sites, it appears many people have written
excellent descriptions and have successfully replaced their own springs
without dying or getting maimed or blinded - a few even have excellent
step-by-step videos, though some of these clearly sell parts online.

what say you ? at issue is why should I pay someone close to 300 for a
job where the parts cost 30 to 65 ?

easing the tension on the spring is no laughing matter but it's no more
dangerous than lifting your car on a jack and replacing a tire.

I paid companies many times to replace
them. The last 2 breaks, I did it
myself. I agree with the other comments
here. I have heard all the horror
stories and was always afraid to do it.
But, it wasn't that bad. You do
have to be careful. BTW, in my area,
the only place that stocks the springs
is Ace Hardware. Go figure!

I've done it several times. You can buy the springs online, but by the
time you pay for shipping, you're probably better off buying them from
a garage door company.

First, invest a a REAL set of cranking bars. Don't just cut steel rod
like some of the web sites tell you. You can buy a professional set
online for less than $20. Then put the bars in place and release the
set screws on the good spring. Count how many revolutions it takes to
remove it--you'll need to wind the new springs by the same amount.
Take both springs with you when you buy new ones. Get springs with the
cones already on them. It's not fun to try to get the old ones off.

Also buy new lift cables and bottom brackets. A new set of cables
should cost you about $15 retail. I replace the bottom brackets if
there's ANY sign of rust. Brackets cost about $3 each.

Take digital photos of the set up before you disassemble and keep
track of where all the bolts came from.

Finally, wear leather gloves and eye protection in the spring breaks.

The advise on oiling is good advice. Just don't over-do it. Excess oil
attracts dust and dirt and then it grinds away at the springs.
However, oil and dirt is still better than plain old rust chewing up
the springs.




so these springs apparently break about every 5 to 7 years and one of
my 2 springs
went sproing over the weekend.

from scouring sears, home depot and lowes, they sell everything I need, except the
torsion springs (they sell the vertical type, not the horizontal type that runs on the
bar across the garage)

from reading a few online sites, it appears many people have written excellent
descriptions and have successfully replaced their own springs without dying or getting
maimed or blinded - a few even have excellent step-by-step videos, though some of
these clearly sell parts online.

what say you ? at issue is why should I pay someone close to 300 for a job where the
parts cost 30 to 65 ?

easing the tension on the spring is no laughing matter but it's no more dangerous than
lifting your car on a jack and replacing a tire.

thanks for all the replies

looks I'll buy these as they are available indeed locally at ACE, though the local
stores initially wanted $10 per spring extra, online price 49.99

PRIME-LINE PRODUCTS/SLIDE-CO GD12231 SPRING TORSION 32" LEFT WIND WHITE

PRIME-LINE PRODUCTS/SLIDE-CO GD12230 SPRING TORSION 32" RIGHT WIND WHITE

https://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/(4...px?SKU=5064001

https://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/(4...px?SKU=5064068

49.99 each (left/right)